Compare the2026 Lexus NXVS 2026 Tesla Model Y

In the past twenty years hundreds of infants and young children have died after being left in vehicles, usually by accident. When turning the vehicle off, drivers of the NX are reminded to check the back seat if they opened the rear door before starting out. The Model Y doesn’t offer a back seat reminder.

In a Vehicle-to-Vehicle Frontal Crash Prevention 2.0 test conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), the Lexus NX achieved a “Good” rating - the highest possible - for its performance in forward collision warning and automatic braking systems, demonstrating its excellent capabilities in preventing collisions. The Tesla Model Y has not been tested.

When descending a steep, off-road slope, the NX’s standard Downhill Assist Control allows you to creep down safely. The Model Y doesn’t offer Downhill Assist Control.

The NX has standard Safety Connect®, which uses a global positioning satellite (GPS) receiver and a cellular system to help track down your vehicle if it’s stolen or send emergency personnel to the scene if any airbags deploy. The Model Y doesn’t offer a GPS response system, only a navigation computer with no live response for emergencies, so if you’re involved in an accident and you’re incapacitated help may not come as quickly.

Both the NX and the Model Y have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available around view monitors.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration does side impact tests on new vehicles. In this test, which crashes the vehicle into a flat barrier at 38.5 MPH, results indicate that the Lexus NX is safer than the Tesla Model Y:

New test not comparable to pre-2011 test results. More stars = Better. Lower test results = Better.

There are over 17 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Tesla dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the NX’s warranty.

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the Lexus NX Plug-In Hybrid’s reliability 17 points higher than the Model Y and the Lexus NX is rated 36 points higher than the Model Y.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the NX second among compact premium suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The Model Y isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2025 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Tesla vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in initial quality, above the industry average. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles, Tesla is ranked 17th, below the industry average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ March 2025 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Tesla vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus second in overall reliability. Tesla is ranked 17th.

The NX 450h+ Premium AWD’s maximum EPA estimated range on a full tank and a full charge is 588 miles, after which it can be refueled at any gas station in minutes. The Model Y’s range is only 327 to 357 miles, after which the minimum time to recharge is 15 minutes for only a 50% charge at a specially configured quick charge station not available in most areas.

Changing a flat tire near traffic can be dangerous and inconvenient. The run-flat tires standard on the NX can be driven up to 50 miles without any air pressure, allowing you to drive to a service station for a repair. The Model Y doesn’t offer run-flat tires.

The NX has standard front and rear stabilizer bars, which help keep the NX flat and controlled during cornering. The Model Y Performance suspension doesn’t offer a rear stabilizer bar.

For better maneuverability, the NX’s turning circle is 1.8 feet tighter than the Model Y’s (38 feet vs. 39.8 feet).

For greater off-road capability the NX 350 F Sport Handling AWD has a 1.1 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the Model Y (7.7 vs. 6.6 inches), allowing the NX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The NX’s minimum ground clearance is 1.5 inches higher than on the Model Y (8.1 vs. 6.6 inches).

The Lexus NX may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 250 pounds less than the Tesla Model Y.

The NX is 5.1 inches shorter than the Model Y, making the NX easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The NX has 2.5 inches more front hip room and 1.9 inches more rear hip room than the Model Y.

The NX offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed, tachometer, warning, navigation instruction and driver assistance information readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The Model Y doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To improve rear visibility by keeping the rear window clear, the NX has a standard rear wiper. The Model Y doesn’t offer a rear wiper.

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The NX Luxury/450+ F Sport has standard headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Model Y doesn’t offer headlight washers.

The NX’s standard side window demisters help clear frost or condensation from the side windows in the winter. The Model Y doesn’t even offer side window demisters, so the driver may have to wipe the windows from the outside to gain side vision.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the NX has standard extendable sun visors. The Model Y doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The NX is equipped with both FM and AM stereo radios, offering access to more content and better coverage than the Model Y, which solely provides FM radio. With AM radio, you can enjoy a wider variety of stations featuring news, talk shows, sports commentary, native language programing, automated traffic guidance, and emergency broadcasts. AM waves travel further and penetrate buildings and obstacles more effectively than FM signals, especially at night. Having both FM and AM stereo radios the NX offers a more comprehensive listening experience compared to only FM in the Model Y.

HD Radio boasts several benefits over conventional radio: superior sound quality with clearer and consistent FM broadcasts, CD-quality audio, and Multicast Channels offering up to four streams from a single station, adding programming choices. Cars like the NX equipped with HD Radio provide an improved in-car entertainment experience. The Model Y, devoid of this technology, foregoes these benefits. Selecting the Lexus NX empowers drivers to enjoy a more immersive and enjoyable listening experience while on the go.

Compared to the Tesla Model Y’s traditional radio, the Lexus NX equipped with standard SiriusXM satellite radio provides an unmatched listening experience. Its extensive coverage guarantees consistent, crystal-clear reception across the continental U.S., and access to over 100 channels dedicated to a multitude of genres, including music, news, sports, talk shows, and comedy, many with only limited commercial breaks.

According to iSeeCars.com the 2025 Lexus NX retains 61.59% of its original value after 5 years, significantly more than the 39.16% resale value of the 2025 Tesla Model Y after five years, which can save the Lexus’ owner up to $19320.10781 in depreciation.